The longstanding question concerning the general principles of life still inspires a large diversity of concepts, methods and viewpoints [1]}, [2]}, [3]}, [4]}.
Besides its fundamental value, for instance towards a universal biology [5]}, looking for generalities could eventually enable us to imitate and extend the sophisticated dynamics achieved by living things.
The artificial life approach, for instance, circumvents the biochemical constraints of living organisms by studying computer programs that mimic distinctive features of life.
Artificial organisms can harness self-replication so as to mutate, compete and evolve complex features [6]}, [7]}.
When one is interested in the most essential aspects of artificial life, quantum mechanics can be instrumental in casting the computation as operations on a handful of quantum bits [8]}, [9]}, [10]}, [11]}.
Still, the finely engineered character of the computers assumed from the outset leaves open the question of what principles could explain the self-assembly of lifelike information-processing systems from physical laws.
